Chapter Twenty-Four
Two days passed. The mountains were not tall nor difficult to climb, but were Mount Everest compared to my homeland. I gave thanks for discovering a cave just big enough for one person. Thoughts consumed of the recent outburst. Acknowledging the power and control of the fell dragon didn't make me innocent; I was still responsible. I coped during the daylight by reading the fire and lightning spellbooks and reflecting on how I failed my family back home and my friends in this era. At night, I cried myself to sleep. Mental images of each Shepherd haunted me. Sour faces and with some, weapons drawn. Slapping my head didn't work trying to think positively. The tears came out and stained the blankets I slept in.
Chrom, everyone, I am so sorry.
The following morning, I was wakened by the marching of footsteps nearby. I poked my head out to see thousands of purple and black cloaks heading east. Curiously, I waited until the last legion passed through in the valley. Not being high enough, an observant spy would have noticed me. It was then I saw where they were heading.
The Dragon's Table.
The stone pillars erect on sand and eroded marble were a give-away. But that was just the entrance to a more ominous sight. A black temple with purple hue spikes sprouting out on all sides. The structure appeared at least a thousand years old, yet remained untouched by sand and time. Not as impressive as a skyscraper, the amount of engineering needed to build it rivaled any Seven Wonder of the Ancient World. The hums of chanting overtook the sound of thunder from the abnormal sky. The heavens were clear yesterday, but now the tint of purple in the grey clouds overshadowed the religious site. Row by row, the Grima cultists took their stand, continuing the chanting.
Grima. I have to stop this.
I scooped up the tomes and sword and worked my way down to the base. Thickets and brush provided cover. The thunder stopped, but the atmosphere was darker. Validar and Aversa showed their faces. With the rising of arms, the Grimleal departed to the temple.
Funneling from behind Validar and his commander came out twelve soldiers. They wore armor from of old. Auras of might radiated from them. These were the Deadlords. Fallen warriors from another time before this place was called Plegia. They once defeated dragons and now they were under the usage of the evil tyrant.
Alongside the Shepherds, a fight against the living dead would be difficult. Alone, it would be suicide. Not invoking any rational thoughts, I ran out to meet them. Death can knock at door; I'll gladly welcome it at this moment.
"Validar!" I approached scanning the area.
"My, Phil, have you reconsidered the offer of becoming a god? Destiny awaits you." Validar folded his arms.
"Does this answer your question?" I drew out my sword and pointed the tip at him.
"Very well. If you are so eager to die, we will happily oblige…Lords, attack!"
The Deadlords got in formation as Validar went on his way. Brave and legendary weapons were in sight, ranging from axes to bows to magical tomes. My head was their target. Equus the Paladin charged first with the holy Gungnir lance. His dexterity and speed overmatched me quickly. The butt end of his spear knocked me to the ground. He was toying with me, allowing time to recover, then knocked down. This process repeated several times, and I was losing my cool.
"If you are going to kill me, just do it already!" I slashed across horizontally with the sword.
No words came out of the Deadlord. I accepted a dark fate as he twirled Gungnir in the air. No shield for protection, I was vulnerable. I thought of my wife back home and happy memories. In another life, I hoped to see her again.
A stray arrow flew overhead and hit Equus in the wrist, forcing his lance to drop. I looked behind and saw something unexpected.
"Are you going to lay down and die or pick yourself up and fight?" Chrom took my collar and lifted me up. The other Shepherds followed behind, eager to help out. I opened my mouth, wanting to apologize for everything, but he hushed me. "Not now, we have a battle to win and an evil monster to stop."
"Right." I regripped my sword and the two of us cut through Equus in his chest.
Moving together as one unit, the Shepherds and I paired off in a double phalanx. One by one, each Deadlord was defeated. Something was wrong though. These elite warriors should have tested our skill. It was like they wanted death. Were they stalling for something? After the last Deadlord fell, Aversa cackled.
"Well done. The Deadlords didn't stand much of a chance, did they?"
I yelled out, "I'll never understand minions like you and Excellus. No lives of your own. Living only to serve at the beck and call of your masters. Pathetic."
The witch frowned, "Oh? I might say as much about your relationship to the exalt. And please, don't lump me in with that half-witted little toad. Excellus was nothing but a pawn on our board. Another actor on our stage. His ambition was our insurance against Walhart's threat. If you had failed, he might have destroyed the empire from the inside. But in the end, he was just another puppet whose strings we had to cut."
"Then you have confirmed my theory." Excellus just wanted power and control.
"Yes, I promised him the Plegian throne in exchange for the Emblem...and he jumped at the offer! Well, as much as the fat little piggie could jump. Men are all the same. Learn their ambition, and you have them by the— Oh, well, perhaps Excellus was a bit different in that respect..." Aversa giggled.
"Here I thought he was the lowest form of slime imaginable, but you win handily."
She shrugged. "Yes, well, we play the roles we're given, Phil, as you'll soon discover."
"If we all stand on a great stage, I'll be happy to assist with your exit!" I shuffled around with a tome at hand.
"Really now, how amusing. You're so cute when you try to be clever. But Master Validar already considers you stronger and smarter than I. Whatever shall I do if he decides you're wittier as well? Perhaps I'd best kill you before you ripen and become his everything."
"What do you mean?" I tilted my head.
Aversa put a finger to her lips. "Nothing to worry your pretty little head over. Focus on our battle, instead! If you truly are as gifted as my master says, there is no need for me to hold back!"
Chrom pushed me aside, demanding more answers. "A final question, witch, before you die…"
Aversa lowered her spellbook, "Oh? Then perhaps one final answer, boy, before you fail."
"Who is Validar? Why do you follow him?"
Aversa reflected, "He is…a father to me."
"What?! You're Phil's sister?!"
I covered my face in shame. "Idiot. Chrom, I have no sister!"
The dark mage enjoyed the amusement of the remark. "You damn fool! Not literally, but he did raise me as if I were his own. Taught me everything. I was a poor orphaned wretch with dirt for food, yet Master Validar took me in. He provided when others would have watched me starve. I would never presume that he loves me...but he is everything I know of love. I would gladly die at his command."
The Exalt responded, "Even knowing his actions will destroy the world?"
"But he is the world—and it is you that would destroy HIM! From where I stand, you are the only aggressor here."
"Phil sees beyond himself, to the larger reality. One person's life means nothing in the shadow of millions." Chrom retorted.
Aversa grinned, "A sweet sentiment, and easily spoken when you bear no love for the one…but more difficult when the sacrifice was your exalted sister, wasn't it? I don't expect you to see the world through my eyes, boy. But I won't pretend to understand how things look through yours."
"Then I suppose there is nothing more to say."
"No, I suppose there isn't." Aversa clinched her right fist; a blacken purple flame grew. She launched it at Chrom. He ducked to counter. More dark fireballs were thrown at the Shepherds. Unfortunately, Kellam was hit with one. His body went into spasms.
"Guess I am sitting on the sidelines for now," he stated, coughing out blood.
"Easy, big man. You'll be ok. Lissa will heal you." The cleric already began her job as I finished talking.
The numbers game overwhelmed Aversa. Recognizing a losing battle, she retreated, but not after giving a typical seductive gesture towards Fredrick. His face become red with embarrassment and fury.
"Oh my! You play rough…but the ritual has already begun. You are too late! Farewell...perhaps we shall meet again? Oh, actually...I suppose not!" The evil sorceress scampered off into the temple.
"Damn! She escaped! Aversa wouldn't leave Validar before he was ready, even with her wounds. His preparations must be complete." Chrom threw his gloves in disgust.
Lucina gathered the cloths and gave them back to her father, "We have to stop him! My future is upon us!"
Chrom hugged his daughter, "We will, Lucina. I swear to you—we will."
I tapped on Chrom's shoulder, "So, umm, I have something to say."
"Go on, but I think I know what you'll say." Chrom let her daughter go.
"I'm so sorry…for everything." I turned around to see all the Shepherds gathered. "All of you. I am sorry. I didn't mean those words several days ago. And I am sorry for running away. I've been a fool lately."
"You aren't wrong in that, but you are our fool, Phil," Chrom said. "I think I can speak for everyone when I say I accept your apology…but more importantly, don't you dare run off again! We don't want to see you dead when you go into battle by yourself."
The Shepherds all nodded and moved in closer. Lucina started the circle of hugs first. All of them embraced me and I gave up fighting back tears.
"Thank you. All of you," I wept. "I love you all, my friends."
"Glad you are back to normal," Chrom smiled. "Are we all ready to proceed?"
"Chrom, first I have a favor to ask."
"As long as it's not a request to leave you behind, Phil."
"No, not at all…I can't run from Validar forever, either. And if I'm going to overcome him, my best chance is with you by my side."
"That is more like it."
"But therein lies the favor. If Validar somehow does gain control over me, promise me...promise me you'll cut me down."
Chrom was shook, "You can't mean that. You can't ask that!"
I can and did. "I'll resist him with all that I am. I promise you. But there are other people involved here—too many people to ignore. You have a duty to protect them as well."
The Exalt listened to reason, "You're right. The words burn my tongue, but you're right. But you mustn't let Validar seize control! Whatever it takes. Whatever the cost!"
"I'll try…you know I will."